Over 200 years ago the samurai class was abolished in
Japan. The Meiji Restoration redefined the class system and brought Japan
into the modern era. To most people the Samurai are a footnote in history
or larger than life figures on the cinema screen. The Samurai are gone, but
their spirit lives on. Men and women from Japan and around the world are
dedicated to keeping their legacy alive.

Toyama Ryu Batto Do is a Japanese sword art formally
established in 1925 for the Toyama Military academy in Japan. The Toyama
academy was the Japanese equivalent of West Point founded in 1873. A
committee under the senior authority of Nakayama Hakudo formalized this
style to teach officers practical battlefield swordsmanship. Nakayama was
the 16th soke of the Shimomura-faction of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu iaido.
This art draws its techniques and philosophy from the expert swordsmen and
their styles of that era. Its roots are in Omori Ryu Tachi Iai and the tachi
waza of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu. It embodies the art of drawing and using
the single sword from a standing posture. It teaches not only drawing and
cutting techniques, but also the mental and spiritual aspects which governed
the daily lives of swordsmen long ago.

Toyama Ryu is based on the practical application of the
sword as a weapon. It consists of basic cutting techniques, basic kata,
advanced two man kata and a variety of specific cutting patterns. It places
significant emphasis on the importance of actual cutting with the sword and
understanding the intricate details. It focuses on not only the physical
details of every action involved in using the sword, but also the mental and
spiritual meaning which also must play an equal part in understanding the
sword as was once done long ago.

Classes are taught with the same content and format as
those in Japan. This is a unique opportunity to learn authentic Japanese
Swordsmanship. Classes in St Petersburg are held under the direction of Mike
Femal Sensei. Femal Sensei has captured the Orlando Batto Jutsu Tai Kai
championship twice and has won a dozen 1st place gold medals in both the US
and in Japan.

Batto Do, loosely translated, means the way of drawing
and cutting with a sword in a single motion. This is the basic distinction
between Batto Do and Kenjutsu, which are the fighting techniques used after
the sword is drawn. Batto Do and Iaido are pretty much interchangeable.
The distinction we draw here is Batto Do techniques are performed in a
standing position, while traditional Iaido uses many techniques performed
from seiza, or the kneeling position.

Tameshigiri, consisting of various cutting patterns and
targets. Tameshigiri, the practice of test cutting, is fundamental in Batto
Do. The purpose of tameshigiri is to test the cutting ability of the sword,
gain experience in striking a solid object and improve timing, distance,
angle and grip. The targets used consist of makiwara, tightly rolled mats
called tatami mats that have been soaked in water and offer uniform weight
and thickness. While kata teaches correct footwork and body movement, it is
only by cutting an actual target that reveals whether or not the proper
cutting technique is being used. Strength, speed and technique alone,
however, are not enough. The correct swing technique and blade angle,
hasuji, must combine with proper cutting distance to make a successful cut.
To perform a perfect cut, the mind, body and spirit must fuse at the very
instant of cutting. This is the training objective of Batto Do.